D'Alema: Concern over stability in Balkans

Outgoing Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema says he is "very much concerned over the Balkans' stability". Speaking in Rome Thursday, D'Alema said he believes the stability of the region may be endangered by "unfinished business" in Kosovo. D'Alema: Concern over stability in Balkans "There is great concern over the Balkans because the Kosovo case is a rather sensitive issue, capable of strengthening nationalistic feelings in Serbia and leading the country into isolation." "That would be a very serious factor of instability for the Balkans as a whole," he said in a statement for the Italian version of the U.S. CNBC channel. D'Alema, who had advocated the independence of Kosovo, but at the same time also urged for an urgent and unconditional accession of Serbia in the European Union, believes, as reported by the ANSA news agency, that "an open and rather delicate match" is being played in Kosovo "in which Italy might play an important role." "I am sorry I have to leave the match early," said D'Alema, who will, together with the rest of Prodi cabinet, hand over power to new Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

D'Alema: Concern over stability in Balkans

"There is great concern over the Balkans because the Kosovo case is a rather sensitive issue, capable of strengthening nationalistic feelings in Serbia and leading the country into isolation."

"That would be a very serious factor of instability for the Balkans as a whole," he said in a statement for the Italian version of the U.S. CNBC channel.

D'Alema, who had advocated the independence of Kosovo, but at the same time also urged for an urgent and unconditional accession of Serbia in the European Union, believes, as reported by the ANSA news agency, that "an open and rather delicate match" is being played in Kosovo "in which Italy might play an important role."

"I am sorry I have to leave the match early," said D'Alema, who will, together with the rest of Prodi cabinet, hand over power to new Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.